Lunch kit



s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I I I I I I I I INVENTOR.

Patented May 31, i921.

W. II/I POTTER.

I UINCH KITl APPLICATION FILED SEPT 1. 1920 TTONEY.

W. M. POTTER. LUNCH KIT.

, l AP`PILICAT|0N FILED SEPT. lv. |920. 1,380,019.- v

Patented May 31, 19211.

sgEEls-glmej 3.

IN VEN TOR.

A l K y A I A TT ORNE Y.

rrf

f rwAsHINer'oN POTTER; orrannnoivr, PENNSYLVANIA.

LUNCH KIT.` Y

nascere.;-

To` alla/Umm waag/co'acera.'` 1 v .Be it knownthat l, lAsHrNGToN M. Po'r- TER, a citizen olfv the United States, residing' at Freedom, in the-county of Beaver` and State ,of Pennsylvania, have invented-certtain`vv new and useful improvements in I'nentsinflunchr kits, and itV is an object 'ofthelinventio'n td provide 'a novel and Kirn-v proved device ofthis *general characterV which, when inon'e adjustment, serves as a container or "receptacle-fte carry foodstuffs or thelike, and,'when ina 'second position',

affords a. table upon.WhighgweKI ,food maybe arrangedi l .l

einfadditienal object of-.the inventioni is to I provide i a novel and improved 1 device of' th-'is ygeneralicharacter which isv especially designed and 'adapted for use inf connection with anl automobilel and lwherein the same normally provides 1 a A'container occupying a small 'Y amount 'ofspacel whereby `'the same may be conveniently carried bythe'automobile and which is 'alsa-1 capable of' being extended'to provide a table. 5 f

- Smother Aobject lefA he invention toprolvide ano-vel f E"improved device of.V this 1 general character which primarilycomprises collapsible box lorreceptacl'e which, when extended, serves as a 'table and wherein means" areV provided to conveniently and'.vv ef- Y. feoftively maintaintheftable in a proper'pcii Furthermore, -it-.is anobj ect ofthe inven-` tion to provide a device ofthiegeneral'v character which, :when employed as a table, is provided withmeans adapted .to coact withI tain-:the same indesired-positien.-V

It is also an obfectoif the yinvention` to provide a Vnovel and improved device of this general character which; when employed as atable, islnrovided with means adapted for coactionV with. a portion of thevehicle structure, together with additional means affording a -suppertingleg-"adsqoted to` rest upon, the ioor lofwthe velricleand wherein vsuch supporting leg, when the Vdevice 'f is folded v Specvicationiof Letters Patent. Application mea september 1, 1920. serial No.

. view taken- Patented May 31, 1921. 407,437. 'l

orrlcs.`

or'adjusted for use as a box or container, is Y housed within said box orcontainer.

, yThe invention consists in the details kof construction and in the combinationand arrangement of the-several parts of my iIn-v proved lunch kit whereby certain important advantages are attained and the; device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise.

more convenient and advantageous for use as will be hereinafter Ymore fully Vset forth. y The novel features ofiny invention. will hereinafter be definitely claimed. f "A 'In order that my invention may be the better understoozd, I will now proceed to de l scribe the same with reference tothe accompanyingdrawings, wherein:`

Figure l Y' 1s a vlew in perspective,` with a* portlon broken away, 'of a.A kit constructedy 1n accordancewith an embodimentof myin# ventionfA and arranged in a; position 'to be used as a receptacle ocrfcontainer.

.Fig 2 is an enlargedvert-ical sectional view takenlongitudinally through they de-y vlcelaslillustrated invFig. l. v

Fig. 3 `s yay transverse vertical 'sectional Fig. 2.

- ig. l- -is a vertical sectional view taken;` through the device whenfem1'ployed'-l as a substantially onthe line V3---3 of'v 5 tableg'the coacting and adjacent po-rti'onsof an automobile vbeing diagraininaftically Yin-V di'cat'edA by'dotted lli-nes; s

Fig, 5 is a View in perspective, ofv the" device when used as al table `with a portion* braken away, the coacting-portion Vof an ali-f toniobile` being alsoL diagrammatically indicated by dotted-lines, and '-*Fig. ,6- is a detailV sectional Vview taken', substantially on the line 6-#6 of Fig. v5. l is disclosed inthe accompanying drawings,l my improved device comprises 'an elongated bottompanel or-sec-tion l pref-' erably oblong in form and hingedly connect# ed with the longitudinal margins thereof and preferably by a fabric-hinge 2l are the side walls or' panels 3 'of desired dimensions." 4 denotes an ,end memberl or panel 'havingl its bottom and side marginal' portions dei fined by'the inwardly disposed flanges which overlie the outer faces of the bottom't member or panel vl and the side members or bers or panels 3 and is provided at each end panels 3 when in folded relation. The bottom flange 5 is provided with one or more upstanding pins 6 which seat within a recess or socket 7- produced in the iiinder or outer face of the bottom member or panel 1 when the end panel or member l is in applied position.

Extending along lthe upper edge o the end member or panel l is strip 8 of a width sufficient, when in one position, to overlie the top panel or member 9 to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. Each end of the strip 8 is provided with an inwardly directed web or flange 10 pivotally engaged, as at 11, with an upper or oiuter corner portion of a side member or panel 3, so that the strip 8 may be readily swung to facilitate the removal of the end member or panel l or to facilitate the maintenance thereof in applied position.

The top panel 9 snugly lits between the upper marginal portions oif the side memportion with the outwardly and laterally directed pins 12'which seat within the openings 1li produced 1n the side members or panels 3 so that when the kit is in folded or compacted adjustment, as illustrated in Eig.

1, the device in its entirety may be readily transported through the medium of' a hand grasp 15 suitably engagedl with the central portion olf the top member or panel 9.

Extending along the outer or upper lon.-v

" i gitudinal margin of eachof the side members or panels3 is a strip 16 of a width to overlie the adjacent longitudinal marginal portion of the applied top member or panel -9 to further facilitate the securing of said 19 denotes a second end panel which lits side and bottom marginal portions defined by the outstanding flanges 2O which overlie the outer faces of the bottom panel or member 1 and the side panels yor members 3 when the device is folded and the bottom iange 2O is hingedly connected, as at 21, so that said panel or member 19 may be swung downwardly below the bottom member or panel 1, as indicated in Figs. 4l and 5 of the drawings.

The opposite end portion of the member or panel 19 Vhas extending therealong the strip 22 of a width to overlie the adjacent end portion ofthe top panel or member 9 when the device is in its folded or compacted adjustment, and each end portion of said strip 22 is provided with an inwardly disposed flange 23 pivotally engaged, as at 24C, with the adjacent side portion of the member or panel 19. Each of the strips 8 and 22 plied position when the device is folded or compacted for use as a receptacle.

llhe top or upper face of the bottom member or panel 1 at the end portion thereof with which coacts the end member or panel l is provided with a transversely disposed groove or recess 27 spaced slightly inwardly of the adjacent end of the member or panel 1 and said face of the panel or member 1 is provided with the longitudinally disposed open channels 28 in communication with the groove or recess 27. Slidably engaged within the channels 28 are the side members 29 of a substantially U-shaped member A, the intermediateportion 30 of said member A being arranged within the groove or recess 27. The groove or recess 27 is of a width to permit` the requisite sliding movement of the member A len thwise of the side members 29 thereof. he outer end portion of each of the side members 29 terminates in a depending lug or finger 31 which, when the member A is at the limit of its inward movement, kis housed within a recess or notch 32 provided in the adjacent end portion ofthe member'or panel 1. The member A is maintained in applied position by the plate 33 suitably secured to the upper face of the member or panel 1 and overlying the groove or recess 27 and channels 28.

When my improved device is to be used as a table, each of the lugs or fingers 31 is disposed through a bracket 34 extending rearwardly from the central portion of the back of the front seat S ofan automobile or other supporting structure, such engagement being effected after the end member or panel 4: has been removed and the upper end projected sufliciently'. The end member or panel 19 is. then swung downwardly to the position illustrated in Figs. 4: and 5 and the legs L caused tov rest upon the floor of the vehicle or the like. The legs L are adapted to move longitudinally of the member or panel 19 and have their inner end portions hingedly connected, as at 35, whereby they are capable of relative swinging movement. Each of the legs L is provided with a longitudinally directed slot'36 through which is disposed a headed shank 37 carried by a swinging arm 38. The arms 38 are two in number and have their inner ends in overlapping relation and pivotally engaged as at 39, with the inner face of the member or panel 19 adjacent the free end thereof. rPhe arms 38 permit the legs L to be moved inwardly of the rnemberor, panel 19 "so that when the deviceis folded or 'compacted for use as a container yor receptacle, said legs L arehousedtherein. Y

As the legs L lare moved outwardly and downwardly with respect to the member ,or-.1 panel 19 .to engagethe floor offthevehicle; or the like, the armsA 38cause said legsl L to separate and the free end portionsof said" arms, when the. legs areat the limit .of-theirs separating movement, pass under-therclips 40 carried by the adjacent face ofthe mem; ber or panel 11,9, whereby said arms 38, toe gether .with the legs' L, 'are ,held .against movement away .from the-` member or panel 19. 2

When the legsL are extended, theyA held against returni or retrograde f movement by the flatspring 41 vhaving one end anchored, .as at; 42, within y a groove or chan- Y nel 43 .produced inv thev inner face 'of the;

member or panel 19,. The opposite-.endlportionof the spring is provided withthe bill 44 for contact 4withwthe hingedly connected, ends ofthe legs L when extended,.so that-4 held against f 'return' movef.

said legs ,L arement.`

extend longitudinally yofY the member or panel 3 but the outward Swinging movementv of each of said cleats 46 is limited by contact vwith a fingeror'- plate 47 carried by the. adjacent end of the memberor panel-3 and; extending inwardly thereof. .'The free end portiony of-.said `finger or plate 47 terminatesin an inwardly Edisposedflange 48 beneath which extends the cleat 46v .wherebyi the.

member or panel 3is held against downward swinging `movement when. vthe device :is Ear ranged within the automoblle; for usexas lavv table. Y

My improved kit also` includestwo .boardsvv or panels 49. Each of the boards 'or panels 49 is of a lengthcoextens'ive with' the length of a member or panel 3. Each ofthe boards or. vpanels 49 isofsuch width to vcause the` outer marginal-.portion thereof to rest upon the upper edge ofaside wallof theautomobile when saidboard or panel is positioned adjacent the outer margin of a memberfor panel 3. When 'so positioned, theend porv; tions of the member or panel 49 underlie the' outer end Portionsof-the extended cleats 4G4 and each end portion ofthe boardor panel 49.is provided witha strip `or plate 5 0fextending. beyond the inner margin thereof and:` whichg-overliesf 'ther adjacent marginal portion-@of the member or panel 3 whereby, said boardfor panel49 is'efl'ectivelyv main tained in applied po'sitionllvl l`r .v When: the device isV compacted or folded, a.board-or :panel.49.is rested upona pairvof folded-cleats'f46 with the r`extended portions ofthefplates- 50` overlying one 0fy said cleats@ while veach end portion of the. board or panel-V adjacent its top underliesanlinwardly di` rected yflangef48 hereinbefore'referredlto and, as is:particularlyillustrated-.inFigs;y 2pand 3'. lunchfkit .constructedpin .'accordanceV with?, my invention-:can he. readily compacted or folded for use as a receptaclelorcon'f. I tainerorxextended for use as 'a'tablep YVhen arranged'for 'useas zawieceptacle or conf-E tainerathe ,parts l housed therein-occupy but.

verylgittle space so'gthat :it is possible to pack*- within fthe.. receptacle or'.l container a rela-fy tively. largefamount of'food, Atogether ,with

analogousfarticlesz :f1

thoughtto-be obvious* that a lunch lkit iconstructed .in accordance with .my invention isparticularly.` well; adapted for use by. reason of? the. convenience and? facility.. withffwhic'hl it vmay` besas'sembled; and operated, .andgiti willv alsof'beafobvious :that .-my. invention iis. susceptible of .some change fand modification without Ideparting fromv ythe principles ,and spiritthereof and for this reason-I donotwish'v to; be understood .asv-limiting ,myself to the precise` arrangementand formationA .of

the y' several partsg-herein shown in carryingoutLm-y inventionain practice except Agashere-g y bottom panel, v sidel panels hingedlyf con-y nected thereto, end ,panels coacting there-V withwhengthe side'panels are folded, a :removable top;r panel, and--V a supporting?meme;v ber slidably v supported -byj an end portion :off'A the bottomsr panel. and; movable. longitudif vided with means coactinglwithfthejSup-f porting .member for limiting Vthe movement of said supporting-member, said .supporting member when in onei position `'extending beyondthe adjacent end of theA bottom panel'.

.2. A lunch kit .comprising a bottom; panel, siede.- panels hingedlyy connected thereto, anl end lpanel. hingedlyconnected vwith the, bottom'f-panel,fa ty second end panel, iand atop paneladapzted to,Y be'. positioned between .the; endpanels, saidtop panel and'si'de panels be-j ing provided with coacting'. locking means',v

said top pane'fl andendpanels being 'alsopro vided with coacting locking; means,` said hingedgend. panel providing la 'supportin Vmeans when the side panelslarezextende theopposite end .portion of the bottom panel.

v being provided :with additional lsupporting` means. y

3.1 A lunchlkit comprising abottom panel,

side panels hingedly connected thereto, an

tom panel, a second 'end'paneh a top panel adapted yto be positioned between, the end panels, said top panel andside panels being provided with'coacting locking means, said top Vpanel and end panels being also pro# vided with coacting locking means, and a leg slidably supported -by the hinged Aendpanel and movable beyondfthe free end.

thereofwhen said end panel is in open posi'- tion, said leg overlying -the inner face of said hinged end .panel when said panel is in closed position. s

45A lunchv kit comprising a bottom panel,

side panels hingedly connected thereto, an

end panel hingedly connected with the bottom panel, a -second'end panel, atop panelA adapted to be positioned between the end panels, said top panel and side'panels beingV provided with coacting locking means, said top panel and end panels being also prof vided with coacting. locking means, a leg slidably supported'by the hinged end panell and movable beyondlthe lfree end thereof when said end panel is in open position, said leg overlying-the inner. face of said hinged end panel when said panel is in vclosed Yposition, and means for holding said leg againstmovementinwardly of thev end panel when extended. Y

5.' A lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, an end panel hingedly connected rwith the bottom panel,"a second endY panel, a toppanel adapted to be positioned between the end panels, said topA panel and side "panels being provided with coacting locking means, said top panel and end panels being also provided withv coacting locking means, a Vleg slidablyf supported by the hingedfendf panel and movable beyond the free, end thereof when said end panel is in open position, said legvoverlying the inner face oi'lsaidL hinged end panel whensaid panel isin closed position, and means for limiting 'the outward movement of the leg relative to the end panel.

6. A lunch kit comprising a bottomv panel, side panels hingedlyV connected thereto, an end panel hingedly connected with the bottom panel, a second end panel, atop panel adapted to be positioned between the end panels, said top panel and side panels being provided with coacting locking means, said top pa'nel and end panels being also proi Supplemental 7 A-lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, an end panel hingedly connected with the bottom panel, a second end'panel, a top panel adapted to be vpositioned between the end panels, said top panel and side panels being provided with coacting locking means, Vsaid top panel and end panels being also provided withL coacting locking means, a pair of legs carried by the hinged end panel, said legs having adjacent ends hingedly iconnected, each of said legs being provided with a longitudinally disposed slot, plates pivotally engaged with theend panel, and ay headedmember carried'by each of the plates and extending through the slot of the leg.

A lunch kit comprising a bottompanel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, an end panelhingedly connected with the -bottom panel`,'a Second end Ipanel,-a top panel adapted tobe positioned between the end panels', said top panel and side panels being provided with coacting locking means, said top-panel and end panels being also provided'withcoaoting locking means, a

pair of legs carried by the hinged end panel,

said legs having 1adj acent ends hingedly connected, each of said legs being provided with a longitudinally disposed slot, plates pivotally engaged with the end panel, a headed mlembercarriedby each ofthe plates and extending through the slot'of theleg, and clips'carried by the end panel and beneath which the plates engage when the legs are in a position toY extend beyond the free end of the end panel. f

9. A lunch kit vcomprising a bottom panel, side vpanels hingedly connected thereto, an end Ipanel hingedly connected with the bottom panel, a second end panel, a top panel adapted to 'be 'positioned between the end panels, said top panel and side panels being provided with coacting locking means, said top. panel-andendpanels being also provided .with coacting locking means, cleats pivotally engaged with the side rpanels and adapted to extend beyond the ,outer edges thereof when said side panels are extended, and supplemental Vpanels provided with means engageable with the side panels.

l0. A` lunch kit comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected theren to, an end panel hingedly connected with the bottom panel, a second end panel, a top panel adapted toL be positioned between the end panels, said top panel and side panels being provided with coacting locking means, saidY top panel and end ,panels being also provided with coacting locking means, cleats` pivotally engaged with the side panels and adapted to extend beyond the outer edges thereof when saidside panels arev extended, planels provided with means engageable wi theside panels, and means carried by the side panels for limiting th outward movement of the cleats.

11. A kit of the class described comprising a bottom panel, side panels hingedly connected thereto, end panels eoaeting therewith When the side panels are folded, a removable top panel, and a supporting member supported by an end portion of the bottom panel for sliding movement'n a drection longitudinally of the bottom panel 10 and adapted to extend therebeyond.

Intestimony whereof I hereunto aix my` signature.

WASHINGTON M. POTTER. 

